Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the cornerstone in the electrochemical energy conversion devices such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. It remains a great challenge to develop the ORR electrocatalysts with fast kinetics and high durability. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel metal-organic coordination networks material, prussian blue crystalline nanograins mosaicked within amorphous membrane (PB CNG-M-AM). Such unique PB CNG-M-AM is designed to enhance the electrocatalysis of Pt toward the ORR by the electrostatic self-assembly. Thus, obtained Pt-PB/C catalysts form numerous Pt-PB-gas three-phase boundaries and present rather high intrinsic activity, four-electron selectivity and superior stability. Moreover, a completely new synergetic mechanism between PB and Pt is discovered, which delicately alters the ORR route and significantly enhances the ORR kinetics. This work provides not only a new strategy and mechanism for developing highly efficient ORR electrocatalysts, but also an alternative way to utilize metal-organic coordination networks materials.
Keywords: fuel cells; metal−organic coordination materials; oxygen reduction; platinum; prussian blue; synergy.